Fresh controversy has emerged surrounding the incarceration of popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, as a traditional ruler in Lagos has accused prison officials of facilitating an elaborate bribery scheme that enabled the socialite to live lavishly during his sentence.
Chief Babalola Shabi, the Baale of Kirikiri Town — popularly known as “Baale No-Nonsense” — alleged during a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State Police Command on Saturday that Bobrisky smuggled eight ATM cards into the Kirikiri Correctional Centre. He reportedly used the cards to channel N35 million through local Point of Sale (POS) operators, allegedly to bribe correctional officers for special treatment.
According to the traditional ruler, Bobrisky was not confined within the prison walls as publicly believed but was instead housed in a private apartment arranged with the help of complicit prison officials.
“People thought he was serving his time in prison. But in reality, he was comfortably staying outside, thanks to a coordinated arrangement involving some corrupt officials,” Shabi claimed.
He said he was instrumental in uncovering the scheme by summoning POS operators in the community to his palace. His actions reportedly led to the involvement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which began tracing the suspicious financial transactions.
“I invited all the POS vendors and reported the issue to the EFCC. They traced the money trail and confirmed the extent of the operation,” he said.
Shabi described the cash flow as unusually swift and organized, indicating a network of collaborators within the correctional facility.
“It’s shocking how N35 million was moved so easily. This wasn’t a one-man operation. Some of the officials involved have already been suspended,” he added.
The Baale also disclosed that the private property allegedly used to house Bobrisky during the period has been identified and demolished. He confirmed that both the Department of State Services (DSS) and EFCC have interrogated him over the matter.
“I’ve cooperated fully with the DSS and EFCC. As a community leader, I won’t stand by and watch such impunity thrive,” he said.
His claims, however, contradict findings from a National Assembly panel, which stated that while Bobrisky received preferential treatment, he remained within the prison premises throughout his sentence.
Bobrisky was sentenced in 2024 to six months in prison for mutilating Nigerian currency and was released in August of the same year.
Controversial social media critic, Martins Otse (popularly known as VeryDarkMan), had earlier shared a voice recording allegedly from Bobrisky, in which she claimed to have paid N15 million to EFCC officials to drop a money laundering charge. In the audio, Bobrisky also alleged that a “godfather” and officials of the correctional service arranged for her to serve her sentence in a private residence rather than behind bars.
